Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Last One!

Ok I promise this will be my last blog about the trains in Chile. It will be a bit hard to do another as I am headed home Saturday and currently in Peru.
I have some new projects awaiting completion on my return, so they will be the focus of the first post. But until then here are some shots of Steam engines in a dedicated park in Santiago. The park is in the city and it cost 800 pesos or $1.70 to enter. Well worth the price for the amount of locos and the few carriages they have in the park. They are very fortunate that they have low rainfall, it has helped to keep the locos in good condition. They are all surrounded by a gardens which are well maintained by the staff. Some locos are also set up on dioramas eg bridges,turntables, stations & inspection pits.

This bad boy is sitting on a turntable. The lettering FCTC on the side stands for Ferro Carril Transdine Chile. I believe it entered service in 1910 through to 1978. It operated freight and passenger services.

Another view of the same loco, this time showing the running gear.

This is one of two which were built. Primarily used for yard work. Set up with a 4 wheel timber passenger wagon. No info provided on it.

This little guy operated from 1912-1978 and had 233Hp.

4 wheel timber Signal wagon. Built 1916 it started life as a cargo wagon, 30yrs later it became a signal wagon.

Did you know Mitsubishi made steam engines? Me either. Various batches were Built in 1929 by Baldwin. The last 30 of these were constructed by Mitsubishi in 1959. Initially for fast heavy passenger they were later used on freight.

Love that car.... um train!

No info on this one, but the flowers add a nice touch!

This monster was Built by ALCo in 1940 and was one of the biggest steam engines in Chile perhaps even the entire continent. It ended service in 1969 with 2338 Hp and standing 4.5mts high. Its fuel consumption was so high it could not be fed by a stoker, it had an endless automatic coal feeder. (Note little old me 6ft)

One of 42 built and designed in Chile from a British design as a starting point. Used on light rail passenger services. Served from 1912-1971 it had 570 Hp.

Built by Rodgers between 1884-1893 they lasted until 1970, nearly 90 years! It had 468 Hp.


No info on this one, but another steam engine.

Lastly, assembled from 1896 by various manufactures this loco was used in main line freight, later being given minor duties. They lasted up till 1972 and had 622Hp.

Friday, April 9, 2010

More photos from Mars?

It's not another blog about my models i know just some more shots of trains in Chile.
This time at the Port of Antofagasta.


A shot of the loaded wagons at the port. It may be hard to see but the bogie on the left of this wagon had a spoked wheel.

A view of the differences in the types of bogies used.
These trains travel at less than 60kmh.

A closer view of a loaded wagon.

The line running through town from the Rail yard to the port.
This view is looking back towards the station.
A little different to the line in my last blog.



A shunter collecting the empty wagons later in the afternoon.
Sorry about the quality of the shot, its on the phone through a dusty windscreen.





Saw this wagon near the hotel I am staying at. Juding from the quality of the wagons and bogies currently in use, I am surprised they let this one go!


One last shot from the port was these box cars in the distance.























Friday, April 2, 2010

Something different?

Here is something different?
It has been a while since my last blog and for this I am sorry. With work and family it dosn't leave much time for hobbies. Currently, I am in Chile for work away from my family and friends. So here is my chance to put up a post. Obviously it is not about my models as this is quite hard for me do as they are still in Australia. It is still train related so I hope it gives you something to enjoy. The following photos are from Escondida, a mine site 2 hours west from Antofagasta, which is in the north of Chile. The railroad company is FCAB or Ferro Carrill Antofagast Bolivia. They have a pretty cool website, which i warn you must turn down your speakers first or it will surprise you. They have some good animations on the movements of the train below. Not 100% accurate but good none the less.




The train consists of flat wagons and tankers. The train heads up to the mine with empty flats and the tankers full of sulfuric acid. It has just finished unloading it's acid and loading the sheets of copper.




A view of the locos, a nice looking livery I think and they made a great sound on this incline.



The mid train consist to show the two loadings.



The train continues up the grade and I believe it is headed back to the port of Antofagasta. Not a long train, but you need to understand that these trains are 3000 meters above sea level.




One of the acid tankers. Note the differences between it and the next photo.




This tanker looks to be mounted on the top of a flat wagon. It may be hard to tell but they are a orange colour heavily weathered. This is because the annual rainfall in this region is below 10mm I think.

Ballast? What is that? It must be an interesting job inspecting the sleepers, That's if there are any under there. Very easy scene to model I guess just need dirt and stones.